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A Theology of California? Call for Papers

Have you ever thought there might be such a thing as a theology of “place”? How about a theology of California? As Fred Sanders poses the question, “What should we say, theologically, about this West-coast entity?”

This question is being asked and answers are being attempted by a new project called Theological Engagement with California Culture, a multi-year conversation that will draw together theological resources for a series of consultations on the subject.

The Theological Engagement with California Culture project is developing a proposed session at the Evangelical Theological Society 2011 meeting on the theology of California. Visit the TECC website for details on the Call for Papers, but the main idea is simple: If you are a theologian with ideas about California as a cultural entity demanding a distinctively Christian understanding, send them your idea.

4 thoughts on “A Theology of California? Call for Papers”

This is really interesting. I’ve been thinking quite a bit about theologies of place/geography, particularly with reference to my own state of Texas. We need a theological articulation of Texas to combat the many false myths surrounding it. I’ve envisioned a series of state and city focused theologies. It seems that a theological lay of the history/land/culture could be incredibly useful for those engaged in ministry in those places…

With the next giant earthquake – The Big One – always in everyone’s mind in California, I have no doubt that an Eschatological/Apocalyptic theology, has always been boiling on the back burner, in that state.

Oddly enough though, in California life style, the particular take on the end times seems to be that, far from taking that as a message to be more conventionally moral, it is time instead to “eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.”

Except for the conservatives, living in the hills of Sacramento. Above the high-water line of the Sunami.

If you’re interested in how this theology of place works in other regions works you may be interested to know something similar is happining on the other coast. The Canadina Theological Society is holding their annual conference on this very topic.